To our sorrow, we received the news that Swedish organist Anders Bondeman passed away on November 18, 2022 at the age of 85. Bondeman was of inestimable significance for contemporary organ improvisation.

Anders Bondeman was a student of Cor Kee and Helmut Walcha, among others. From 1971 until his retirement in 2002, he was a permanent organ player at the Jacobskyrkan in Stockholm.

As an improviser he had a great influence on the current generation of organists. In 1965 he won the International Improvisation Competition Haarlem, was a jury member several times and composed the themes for the competition rounds. During his life he taught improvisation at, among others, the Royal College of Music in London. Anders Bondeman is interviewed in the anniversary book 'The Haarlem Essays' (Dr. J. Butz Verlag, 2014).

The Artistic Council, the Board and all others involved in the Haarlem Organ Festival commemorate Anders Bondeman with great respect.